ABSTRACT
One of the most commonly used techniques in facial plastic surgery is the Z-plasty.
Main reasons to perform these transposition flaps are to lengthen a pre-existing scar,
to camouflage a scar, or to realign a scar. The classic 60° Z-plasty allows a 75%
increase in scar length and is the cornerstone against which all variations are compared.
Understanding the classic Z-plasty permits the surgeon to expand his or her repertoire
to include the numerous variations thereof. The double-opposing Z-plasty, unequal
triangle Z-plasty, four-flap Z-plasty, compound Z-plasty, and planimetric Z-plasty
are the most frequent variants of the basic Z-plasty. Each are presented with illustrations
and clinical indications.
KEYWORD
Z-plasty - transposition flaps - scar revision